Michael´s last public appearance at the O2 press conference, that also marks the "Beginning" of THIS IS IT in the public eye, has been the subject of the most controversial discussions since March.
Was it him? Was he not? Were there two of him? Was he fatally ill?
Was he looking forward to the concerts - or rather not?
During the last months, like most of you, I´ve watched his O2 speech several times - and it caused conflicting emotions. However, with advanced time and considering the latest developments, there are still 5 things surrounding the conference that bother me:
1. Michael Jackson´s THIS IS IT / Elvis „THAT`S THE WAY IT IS“
Quite a lot of us believe by now, that the „This is it“ movie was planned from the start and the announced 10/ 30 / 50 concerts were never meant to be. All the more interesting ist he comparsion with Elvis´ 1970 concert documentary „That´s the way it is“ about Elvis´ summer shows in Las Vegas and the Rehearsals for it in
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LoginI also remember someone @ MJHD mentioned the resemblance between the floral design shirts:
Elvis rehearsing in Culver City for „That´s the way it is“ 1970:
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LoginMichael at the O2 press conference this year in London:
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Login2. The „Punches“
Honestly, it took me a while to link one to the other but - considering the point above – it makes sense. The „Karate punches“ also were a kind of „signature move“ of Elvis in the 70´s. Elvis had a strong interest in martial arts at that period and time and again he also demonstrated his ability during his live shows:
Elvis 1974 in Las Vegas:
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LoginMichael´s punches at the O2 press conference (start@ 5:55):
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Login3. The „Last curtain“
Beside the known parallels to Joey Skaggs project „Final curtain“ and also the same-titled book of “Deaths of noted movie and tv celebrities“ there also is - you´ll already assume it;) – an Elvis connection.
Elvis concert in Indianapolis was released on video entitled: „The final curtain“ -
it was his last live performance on the 26th June 1977.
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LoginBesides those similarities, Michael´s mannerism at the O2 stroke many as odd.
But thankfully body language speaks louder than words ...
4. The unfulfilled sentence & the smile
„These will be my final performances in London – this is it!
And when I say this is it, I really mean this is it, because.....“
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This specific smile, that closes his sentence has already been described a lot.
But I think it can´t be mentioned enough here: imo it´s what I´d call an impish smile.
The smile of someone, who already knows the main point of a story before it is told. Someone who is trying hard to control himself not to spoil it for the unknowing. ( Probably every one knows that reaction from ourselves when a familar joke is told.. lol;)
Imo this little laughing fit speaks clearly against an ill health argument - it more sounds like, he can´t explain "because" at that moment, but one can feel a thrill of anticipation.
5. His love message / intonation
„I love you... I really do... you have to know that... I love you so much.. really
– from the bottom of my heart.“
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Listen closely – how does it sound to you?
He uses striking many intensifiers, almost like he wants to assure and reassure people:
„:... I really do.... you have to know that...really.“
but moreover, his voice sounds almost regretful (pityingly?) when he accents them.
But why so grave? Because he knows very well what happens next, if all goes to plan?
Because he anticipates that his adoring fans who cheer now will suffer the most?
Is it „solace in advance“ in a way? However, it shows that he doesn´t take it all lightly and he definiteley cares.
Summarizing the o2 press conference, what strikes odd is Michael´s mood swing between cheerful larking and farewell, confidence and a remarkable unease, familarity and never seen before peculiarities.
And with the benefit of hindsight, some coincidences seem to be less accidentally, but in fact very well designed and staged.
To me, his announcement was "the Beginning" of THIS IS IT and the whole chain of things, that happened after:
Isn´t it the chance now - not alone for the fans but for the world - to discover "the man we never knew"?
His opus and his whole being - unprejudiced?
Isn´t it an adventure – a great adventure? To witness something the world hasn´t seen before?
And we haven´t reached the end yet... ***
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